Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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LOCXABLE VALVE MEC~ANISM FO~ SAMPLE ~OUCH
Technical ~ield
The present invention g~nerally relates to
devices for in~roducing a sample in~o a reaction vessel
or like receptacle, and more particularly to a lockable
valve mechanism which is movable ~rom an open positisn
t~ a sealed position, and automatically locked in the
sealed position.
Backqround of The Invention
Reaction vessels or receptacles comprising
flexible pouches or blister-package constructions are
frequently employed for performing chemical analyses or
like test procedures. It is ordinarily necessary to
provide an arrangement whereby one or more samples can
be introduced into the reaction vess~l to perform the
required test protocol.
Reaction vessels of this type are frequently
used to perform PCR (polymerase chain reackion)
amplification, but such vessels must meet strict
performance requirements. One of the most important of
these requirements is that the vessel not leak during or
a~ter amplification. Examples of such vessels are shown
in European Patent ~pplication No. 381,501, designed to
prevent leakage of amplified DNA which tends to release
such DNA to the atmosphere where it can contaminate
unused pouches and produce false positives.
Experience has shown that leakage is not a
significant problem in pouches that are completely
preassembled during manufactur~. However, the sample to
be amplified must be loaded lnto the pouch at the test
facility. Ordinarily an a~cess port is provided for
this purpose, but the a~cess port can act as a potential
path for leakage after introduction of the sample.
The present invention contemplates a valve
mechanism which çan function as a loading port for a
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reaction ve~sel or like receptacle. The valve mechanism
is configured to receive a sample from an as60ciated
pipette or like dispsnsing device, with the valve
mechanism further being configured for closing and
sealing, and automatic locking in the closed and sealed
condition.
Summary ~f The Invention
In accordance with the present invention, a
l~ckable valve mechanism is disclosed for use with an
associated reaction vessel or like receptacle, wi~h the
valve mechanism functioning as an entry port fox
introduoing a sample or other fluid into the reaction
vessel. Notably, the mechanism is configured such that
it can be moved from an open position wherein the sample
can be introduced into the vessel, to a closed and
sealed position, with the mechanism including an
automatic locking arrangement to prevent subsequent
movement out of the closed and sealed position. Thus,
leakage of the sample from within the vessel is
substantially prevented.
In accordance with the illustrated embodiment,
the present valve mechanism includes a valve body having
a base portion for mounting the mechanism on the
associated vessel. The valve body includes a pair of
spaced apart side supports which extend upwardly from
the base portion. The valve body defines a valve seat
positioned between the side supports, and further
defines an outlet passage extending through the valve
seat for communication with the interior of the
associated vessel.
The mechanism further includes a valve member
movably mounted on the valve body generally ~etween the
side~supports thereof. The valve member defines a
convex, arcuate sealing portion engageable with the
valve seat of the valve body, and further defines an
inlet passage which extends thr~ugh the sealing portion
for receiving the sample to be introduced into the
reaction vessel.
For use, the movable valve member i~ rotated
relative to the valve body from an initial ~hippinq
position into an open position. In the open position,
the inlet passage def.ined by the valv~ member and the
outlet passage defined by the valve body are in
substantial alignment and in fluid communication with
each other so tha~ the sample to be introduced c~n flow
through the passages and into the associated vessel. In
the preferred form, the valve member is configured to
receive the sample from a pipette or like dispensing
device.
After introduction of the e~mple into the
reaction vessel, the valve member is movable from the
open position to a sealed position, wherein the inlet
and outlet passages are moved out of alignment, and the
valve member seals the outlet passage of ~he valve body.
In order to prevent inadvertent movement of the valve
member back to the open position, the valve member
includes a lockiny arrangement for automatically locking
the valve member in the sealed p~ition after movement
thereto from the open position. In the illustrated
embodiment, the locking arrangement comprises a pair of
locking tabs defined by the valve ~ember. When the
vaIve member is moved into the sealed posi$ion, the
locking tabs are respectively received in a pair of
loeking openings defined by the valve body.
To enhance the sealing engagement between the
valve body and the valve member in the sealed position
thereof, the present construction preferably includes an
arrangement for urging the v~lve member into ~uch
sealing engagement as the valve member i8 moved from its
open position into the sealed position. To this end,
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the valve member is rotatable relative to the valve body
on a pair of support pins which dPfine an axi~ of
rotation positioned in eccentric rela~ionship relative
to the c~nvex arcuate sealing portion o~ the valve
member. Thus, as the valve member is rotated from its
open position to its sealed position, its exterior
sealing surface is urged against and into sealing
engagement with the valve seat o~ the valve body, thus
providing the desired enhanced sealing of ~he outlet
passage defined by the valve body.
Other features and advantages of the present
invention will becom~ readily apparent from the
following detailed description, the accompanying
drawings, and the appended claims.
Brief Description Of The ~rawinqs
FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a lockable
valve mechanism embodying the principles of the present
invention mounted on an a~sociated reaction vessel;
FIGURE 2 is an exploded side elevational view
of the pre ent valve mechanism;
FIGURE 3 is an exploded end elevational view
of the present valve mechanism;
FIGURE 4 is a side elevational view of the
present valve mechanism illustrated in an initial,
shipping poGition;
FIGURE 5 is a view similar to FIGURE 4
illustrating the present valve mechanism in an open
position;
FIGURE 6 is a view similar to FIGURE 5
illustrating the present valve mechanism in a closed and
~ealed position; and
FIG~RE 7 is an elevational view similar to
that of FIGURE 4, but illustra ing the invention in use
in a multi-chambered vessel.
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etailed Description
While the present inve~tion is ~usceptible of
embodiment in various fo~ms, there is ~hown in the
drawings and will hereinaf~er be described a presently
preferred embodiment, with the understanding that the
present disclosure is to be considered as an
exemplification of the inv~ntion, and is not intended to
limit the invention to th~ specific embodiment
illustrated.
With reference ~ow to the drawings, therein is
illustrated a lockable valve mechanism 10 embodying the
principles of the present invention. By virtue of its
ease of operation, positive sealing, and lockabIe
nature, the present valve mechanism is particularly
suitable for introduction of a liquid sample into an
associated reaction vessel 12, such as for chemical
analysis or the like. However, a valve mechanism
embodying the principles disclosed herein can readily be
configured for other applications.
As illustrat~d, reaction vessel 12 is
illustrated in a typical pouch-like form, in the nature
of a blister-package. Suitable heat seals or the like
sealingly mount the valve mechanism 10 on the reaction
vessel 12 with the valve mechanism functioning as an
entry port for introduction of ~amples into the vessel.
The valve mechanism is desirably :-:
straightforward in construction for economical
manufacture, and includes only two components which
coopPrate to provide the desired function.
Specifically, the ~echanism includes a valve body 16
mounted on the associated reaction vessel, ~nd a valve
member 18 r~tatably movably m~unted on the valve body,
preferably by the provision of a ~nap-fit construction.
With particular reference to FIGURES 2 and 3,
the valYe body includes a base portion 20 configured for
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mounting on ~he ass~ciated reac~ion vessel. Yhe base
portion defines a generally centrally dispose~ Yalve
seat 21 thr~ugh which extends an outlet passage 22 ~or
communication with the interior of the reaction vessel
12.
The valve body further de~ines a pair of
upstanding, spaced-apar side supports 24 which extend
generally upwardly from the base portion 20. In the
preferred form, the side supports 24 respectively define
a pair of support sockets ~6 for receiving and rotatably
mounting the associated valve member 18. Each of the
support sockets 26 is preferably configured generally in
the form of a converging recess which terminates in a
circular opening, with the valve member being rotatably
mounted in the pair of circular openings by a snap-fit.
The present valve mechanism is particularly
configured for automatic locking when the mechanism i~
operated from its open to sealed positions. To this
end, each of the side supports 24 defines a locking
opening 28 which, as will be further described,
cooperates with the valve member 18 for securely locking
the valve member in its sealed position.
With further reference to FIGU~ES 2 and 3, the
valve me~ber 18 is posi~ionable generally between the
side supports 24 by respective snap-~it disposition of
support pins 30 of the valve member within the support
sockets 26. The valve member defines a pipette cavity
32 for receiving the tip of an assooiated di~pensing
pipette P.
A liquid sample from the pipette P flows
thr~ugh an inlet passage 34 defined by the valve member,
with the inlet passage extending through an exterior,
convex arcuate ~ealing portion 36 of the valve member.
With the ~upport pins 30 disposed in the ~upport sockets
26, the arcuate sealing surface of the valve member
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cooperates with the valve seat o~ the valve b~dy in the
nature of a ball valve, whereby the inlet passage 34 and
outlet passage 22 can be moYed into and out of alignment
and fluid communication with each other.
As will be further described, the valve member
is movable from an initial shipping po6ition, shown in
FIGURE 4, ~ an intermediate, open posi~ion ~FIGURE 5),
and thereafter into a closed and locked sealed position,
as shown in FIGURE S. Since i~ is desirable ~or the
sealing portion 36 of the valv~ member to be firmly
seated against the valve seat in the final closed
position, the present valve mechanism is configured so
as to urge the valve member into sealing engagement with
the valve seat of the valve body ~ the valve member is
moved from its open position to its closed position.
Specifically, the support pins 30 defined by the valve
member are positioned in eccentric relationship relative
to the arcuate sealing portion 36 of the valve member.
In the illustrated embodiment, this eccentric
positioning result~ in the axis of rotation, defined by
the support pins, being epaced a relatively greater
distance from the sealing portion 34 which engages the
valve seat in the closed position, as cQmpared to the
region of the sealing portion through which inlet
passage 34 extends.
The lockable nature of the present valve
mechanism is achieved ~y providing a pair of wedge-like
locking tabs 3~ generally on respective opposite sides
of the valve member 18. The locking tabs ~8 function in
the manner of detents, and are respectiv~ly r~ceived
within locking openings 28 when the valve member 18 is
fully moved into its closed position. Thereafter, the
locking tabs prevent movement of the valve member out of
the closed and sealed position, thus assuring the
sealing integrity of the valve mechanism.
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Alternatively, valve body 16 can be extended
to the shape shown in phantom, Figure 5, to create a
closed sidewall 37. Inside this sidewall a wad of
absorbant can be optionally included, to catch and hold
li~uid leaking from passage 34.
From the foregoing description, the opPration
of the present valve mechanism will be readily apparent.
As noted, the valve ~echanism is preferably positioned
as shown in FIGURE 4 prior to use. For use, the valve
member 18 is moved into the open position shown in
~IGURE 5, either by manipulation of the valve member, or
by insertion of a pipette into the pipette cavity 32,
with the pipette thereafter functioning as a lever to
rotate the valve member.
With the valve member in the open position
~hown in FIGURE 5, the liquid samp]e to be introduced
into the reaction vessel is dispen6;ed from the pipette,
whereupon the sample flows through inlet passage 34,
outlet passage 22, and into the vessel.
Upon completion of introciuction of the sample,
the pipette is employed as a lever for further rotating
the valve member 18 from its open position, into its
closed and sealed position, as shown in FIGURE 6. Upon
such movement, the eccentric posit:ioning of support pins
30 acts in cooperation with the arcuate sealing portion
36 of the valve member to urge the sealing portion int~
sealing engagement with the valve seat ~ s the valve
member is moved to its fully sealed position, locking
ta~s 38 are respectively received within the locking
opPnings 28, with the locking tabs cooperating in a cam-
like manner with the side supports 24 as the locking
tabs move into the locking openings. Thereafter, the
configuration of the locking tabs prevents movement of
the valve member out of its closed and sealed position.
The pipette is thereafter removed from the cavity 32,
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and introduction of the liquid sample into ~he r~action
vessel complete.
FIGURE 7 illustrates thP invention'~ use in a
multi-chambered vessel 112. That is, the chamber 60
receiving the patient sample i~ not the only chamber,
since chamber 62 is provided ~lso with pre-incorporated
reagent 6~ therein. The two chambers are connec~ed via
a passageway 66, which has a tempor~ry seal at 68 and
70, blocking premature flvw of liguid between the
lo chambers. Valve 16 is positioned and used as described
above to fill chamber 60, and i~ then closed tthe
position shown in phan~om). ~ny desired reaction is : .
allowed to occur in chamber 60, a~ter which external
pressure is applied to break seals 68 and 70 and force
liquid to flow from chamber 60 to 62 via passageway 66.
From the foreyoing, it will be obsPrved that
numerous modifications and variations can be e~fected
without departing from the true spirit and scope of the
novel concept of the present invention. It is to be
understood that no limitation with respect to the
specific embodiment disclosed herein is intended or
should be inferred. The disclosure is intended to
cover, by the appended claims, all such modifications as
fall within the scope of the claims.
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